There is a Kagyu centre near me which has in its public weekly programme Chenrezig and Green Tara Pujas. I was thinking of going along, but I am wondering what to expect.

I understand the word puja from earlier involvement in Hinduism - indeed, I lived in a Hindu monastery - but wondered what it meant in a tibetan buddhist context. What will take place?

Also, does anyone know of any text online that I could read to understand maybe what I hear at both? (I assume there are prayers, in tibetan, so it would be a good idea to read translations in advance.)

Tibetans often use the word "puja" not only for "offering rituals," which is the literal meaning, but for any sort of deity yoga meditation session. Such sessions usually do include "offerings," but also mantra recitation, praises, liturgical desciptions, and likely a period of silent or "formless" meditation.

Since it's a Kagyu center, the Chenrezig Puja is likely an expanded version of Tangtong Gyalpo's Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) practice, which usually includes: lineage prayer, refuge and generating bodhicitta, visualization, seven limb prayer, praises, prayer for the six realms, mantra recitation, silent meditation period, dissolution and reappearance, and a variety of long life and aspiration/dedication prayers. It's about an hour.

Tara Puja is likely Chogyur Lingpa's "essence of the two accumulations," from Zabtik Drolma Terma, which is the four mandala offering to Tara, with recitation of the Praises to the 21 Taras. It's longer--maybe 90 minutes?, and it's a somewhat more elaborate ceremonial ritual, with music (drums, cymbals, bells, etc.) and a lot of chanting. The link Tanaduk offered, above, contains most of the liturgy for this practice.

Hope that helps!

May any merit generated by on-line discussionBe dedicated to the Ultimate Benefit of All Sentient Beings.

By the way, interesting blog you have there. Is it hard for buddhism in Częstochowa? - I assume it is staunchly catholic?

O yes it is catholic city but since late 80's buddhism came to my city.Currently in Czestochowa is quite a large group of Diamond Way, several people from Kwam Um/I suppose/ and only two people in Karma Kamtsang No problem for buddhism in Czestochowa. Catholicism in Poland is weak, shallow it is more for show. You know It's a tradition, sunday holy mass, religious holidays, and so forth.

markadm wrote:There is a Kagyu centre near me which has in its public weekly programme Chenrezig and Green Tara Pujas. I was thinking of going along, but I am wondering what to expect.

I understand the word puja from earlier involvement in Hinduism - indeed, I lived in a Hindu monastery - but wondered what it meant in a tibetan buddhist context. What will take place?

Also, does anyone know of any text online that I could read to understand maybe what I hear at both? (I assume there are prayers, in tibetan, so it would be a good idea to read translations in advance.)

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

If you are mentioning http://www.samyeling.org/ this place has a very excellent reputation, also since you post in the Gelugpa section there ishttp://www.jamyang.co.uk/ in London, however going to Samyeling (if that is where you're thinking about going) would be really good imho.

T. Chokyi wrote:If you are mentioning http://www.samyeling.org/ this place has a very excellent reputation, also since you post in the Gelugpa section there ishttp://www.jamyang.co.uk/ in London, however going to Samyeling (if that is where you're thinking about going) would be really good imho.

You're close, actually. I was talking about one of the Samye Dzongs, which are the city outposts of the wonderful Samye Ling.

I've only been to Samye Ling once, back when I was 19, but it was wonderful. If I had paid more attention then, though, I would have saved myself a lot of silly searching in the meantime.

What I have been studying is more Gelug-leaning, but there seem to be mostly Kagyus up this way, and I do believe there is merit in taking good from all sources, and in having guidance close to hand. No offence to anyone here, and not to diss the assistance that forums such as this give, but I know I benefit a lot from actual, physical contact with likeminded people who I can gain guidance from.